The prime-time town hall meeting will bring together civil rights leaders, police representatives, and others – including a prominent Texan – for "candid discussions on race relations, justice, policing and equality," according to a White House press release.
Two days after a trip to Dallas to honor five police officers killed during a peaceful protest, President Barack Obama is holding a White House town hall focused on race relations.
Among those participating is Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who originally called protestors "hypocrites" for seeking protection during the shooting from the same police they were protesting. He later backed off that comment, saying he could have chosen a better word.
It's hard to say whether the gathering will spark breakthroughs in community-police relations. Scott Bowman, professor at Texas State University's School of Criminal Justice, says he's optimistic about tonight's forum. Typically, he says, two factions have been visible: one that shows "steadfast support" for the police and one that calls for social justice and accountability of the police.
The call from Dallas police chief David Brown for protestors to join the police force, Bowman says, doesn't take into consideration the fact that many of those protesting may be excluded from serving as police officers, in part because they may come from the very communities that would preclude them from becoming officers.
The policing system certainly has its problems, Bowman says, but the issues run deeper than that.